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Original poster

Books sets in Victorian London (not Dickens)

36 replies

TellySavalashairbrush · 28/09/2023 17:15

I love Dickens I should hasten to add, but have read them all. I’m looking for fiction set in Victorian London. I read many Victorian authors at University but would love any suggestions in case I have missed some, even those written by modern day authors .

OP posts:
highlandcoo · 28/09/2023 23:33

I came on to suggest Fingersmith and The Crimson Petal and the White!

How about Trollope's Palliser novels? A very different side of London society from that portrayed by Dickens. And if you enjoy them there are six in the series.

mambojambodothetango · 28/09/2023 19:00

Yes to Fingersmith. Also, Lilly by Rose Tremaine. Jack Maggs by Peter Ackroyd.

fearfuloffluff · 28/09/2023 18:56

I don't know if they're set in London but Victorian sensation novels are awesome! Wilkie Collins or my favourite is East Lynne by Mrs Henry Wood. It's like Victorian EastEnders!

20thousandleaguesunderthesewage · 28/09/2023 18:46

I like Henry James
A v good novel set in the Victorian era which came out this year is Theater of Marvels by Lianne Dillsworth https://www.waterstones.com/book/theatre-of-marvels/lianne-dillsworth/9781529158595

ASuitableName · 28/09/2023 18:27

The American Boy, by Andrew Taylor

Very fast-moving, atmospheric story set in 19th century London

Original poster
TellySavalashairbrush · 28/09/2023 18:26

Thank you all. Some great ideas to be getting on with .

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 28/09/2023 18:15

Try Sara Collins' The Confessions of Franny Langton.

It's an amazing book.

saltnsaucey · 28/09/2023 17:57

You could try some Wilkie Collins, who was a contemporary of Dickens

cherryassam · 28/09/2023 17:31

It’s not wholly (or even largely…) set in Victorian London but Possession by A S Byatt is one of my favourite books of all time

Fingersmith is great, also Tipping the Velvet and Affinity by Sarah Waters

Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber

Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith

The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

Things in Jars by Jess Kidd

The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O’Donnell

Lamelie · 28/09/2023 17:26

Same era, different country and lots in cities, particularly Paris, with fascinating detail about buildings, relationships, commerce shooing- Zola.
Nana, Therese Raquin, L’Assomoir particularly.

Vermin · 28/09/2023 17:16

The Fingersmith - Sarah waters

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